There’s a real push to bring AI into schools, and you can see why. The recent executive order on youth education from President Trump recognised that if future generations are going to do well in an increasingly automated world, they need to be ready.

“To ensure the United States remains a global leader in this technological revolution, we must provide our nation’s youth with opportunities to cultivate the skills and understanding necessary to use and create the next generation of AI technology,” President Trump declared.

So, what does AI actually look like in the classroom?

One of the biggest hopes for AI in education is making learning more personal. Imagine software that can figure out how individual students are doing, then adjust the pace and materials just for them. This could mean finally moving away from the old one-size-fits-all approach towards learning environments that adapt and offer help exactly where it’s needed.

The US executive order hints at this, wanting to improve results through things like “AI-based high-quality instructional resources” and “high-impact tutoring.”

And what about teachers? AI could be a huge help here too, potentially taking over tedious admin tasks like grading, freeing them up to actually teach. Plus, AI software might offer fresh ways to present information.

Getting kids familiar with AI early on could also take away some of the mystery around the technology. It might spark their “curiosity and creativity” and give them the foundation they need to become “active and responsible participants in the workforce of the future.”

The focus stretches to lifelong learning and getting people ready for the job market. On top of that, AI tools like text-to-speech or translation features can make learning much more accessible for students with disabilities, opening up educational environments for everyone.

Not all smooth sailing: The challenges ahead for AI in education

While the potential is huge, we need to be realistic about the significant hurdles and potential downsides.

First off, AI runs on student data – lots of it. That means we absolutely need strong rules and security to make sure this data is collected ethically, used correctly, and kept safe from breaches. Privacy is paramount here.

Then there’s the bias problem. If the data used to train AI reflects existing unfairness in society (and let’s be honest, it often does), the AI could end up repeating or even worsening those inequalities. Think biased assessments or unfair resource allocation. Careful testing and constant checks are crucial to catch and fix this.

We also can’t ignore the digital divide. If some students don’t have reliable internet, the right devices, or the necessary tech infrastructure at home or school, AI could widen the gap between the haves and have-nots. It’s vital that everyone gets fair access.

There’s also a risk that leaning too heavily on AI education tools might stop students from developing essential skills like critical thinking. We need to teach them how to use AI as a helpful tool, not a crutch they can’t function without.

Maybe the biggest piece of the puzzle, though, is making sure our teachers are ready. As the executive order rightly points out, “We must also invest in our educators and equip them with the tools and knowledge.”

This isn’t just about knowing which buttons to push; teachers need to understand how AI fits into teaching effectively and ethically. That requires solid professional development and ongoing support.

A recent GMB Union poll found that while about a fifth of UK schools are using AI now, the staff often aren’t getting the training they need:

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Finding the right path forward

It’s going to take everyone – governments, schools, tech companies, and teachers – pulling together in order to ensure that AI plays a positive role in education.

We absolutely need clear policies and standards covering ethics, privacy, bias, and making sure AI is accessible to all students. We also need to keep investing in research to figure out the best ways to use AI in education and to build tools that are fair and effective.

And critically, we need a long-term commitment to teacher education to get educators comfortable and skilled with these changes. Part of this is building broad AI literacy, making sure all students get a basic understanding of this technology and how it impacts society.

AI could be a positive force in education – making it more personalised, efficient, and focused on the skills students actually need. But turning that potential into reality means carefully navigating those tricky ethical, practical, and teaching challenges head-on.

See also: How does AI judge? Anthropic studies the values of Claude

Want to learn more about AI and big data from industry leaders? Check out AI & Big Data Expo taking place in Amsterdam, California, and London. The comprehensive event is co-located with other leading events including Intelligent Automation Conference, BlockX, Digital Transformation Week, and Cyber Security & Cloud Expo.

Explore other upcoming enterprise technology events and webinars powered by TechForge here.

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Professionals wishing to get into this evolving field can take advantage of a variety of specialised courses that teach how to use AI in business, creativity, and data analysis.

Artificial Intelligence: Preparing Your Career for AI

Artificial Intelligence: Preparing Your Career for AI is an option for those wanting to future-proof their careers in an AI-centric workplace. The course outlines five essential steps for preparing for AI’s impact on job roles and skill requirements. Participants learn the basics of AI, strategies for aligning their career paths with AI advancements, and how to use AI responsibly.

The course is ideal for individuals at any career stage who wish to understand AI’s impact on the job market and adapt proactively.

Generative AI for Leaders

For business leaders, Generative AI for Leaders focuses on integrating AI into organisation’s strategy. AI’s rapid advancement offers both opportunities and challenges for business leaders, who must balance innovation with ethical and operational concerns.

In this course, participants learn strategies for building AI-driven business initiatives and fostering collaboration, and learn how to address compliance and ethical considerations.

With a practical look at AI trends, this course prepares leaders to develop a culture that supports AI adoption and equips them with the tools needed to make informed decisions.

Business Analyst: Digital Director for AI and Data Science

Business Analyst: Digital Director for AI and Data Science is a course designed for business analysts and professionals explaining how to define requirements for data science and artificial intelligence projects. The course covers the requirements elicitation process for AI applications and teaches participants how to work closely with data scientists and machine learning engineers to ensure that AI projects meet business goals.

Learners gain insights into conversational AI tools, the differences between Natural Language Understanding (NLU) bots and rule-based bots, and best practices in conversation flow analysis. For business analysts, the course provides essential skills to guide AI initiatives that deliver real business value.

Prompt Engineering+: Master Speaking to AI

One valuable course is Prompt Engineering+: Master Speaking to AI, which teaches the art of creating precise instructions for generative AI models. ‘Prompt engineering’ is essential for situations in which human intent must be accurately translated into AI output.

The course covers prompt structure, including one-shot, few-shot, and zero-shot learning, as well as fundamental skills like natural language processing and Python programming. Students work with leading models including ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and DALL-E, and learn practical methods to refine and test prompts, control model output, and tackle inaccuracies.

For those looking to work directly with generative AI, this course provides a foundational skill set to optimise AI interactions.

Canva AI: Master Canva AI Tools and Apps 2024

Content creators can benefit from Canva AI: Master Canva AI Tools and Apps 2024, a course focused on using Canva’s AI-driven tools to streamline and enhance content production. This course introduces participants to Canva’s Magic Studio, where they explore tools for creating engaging social media posts, PDFs, videos, and presentations. From text-to-image conversions to speaking avatars, the course delves into AI tools that help creators produce content efficiently.

Through hands-on projects, learners experience Canva AI’s capabilities, enabling them to produce a wide variety of content quickly and effectively—a valuable skill for social media, marketing, and creative professionals.

Conclusion

These courses offer a comprehensive toolkit for mastering AI skills in various fields. Embracing these opportunities can empower professionals to lead, create, and adapt in an AI-driven organisations. Whether you’re a business leader, a content creator, or a data professional, investing in AI skills prepares you to navigate the future with confidence and purpose.

See also: Understanding AI’s impact on the workforce

Want to learn more about AI and big data from industry leaders? Check out AI & Big Data Expo taking place in Amsterdam, California, and London. The comprehensive event is co-located with other leading events including Intelligent Automation Conference, BlockX, Digital Transformation Week, and Cyber Security & Cloud Expo.

Explore other upcoming enterprise technology events and webinars powered by TechForge here.

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Faced with a saturated domestic market, more Chinese app developers are now setting their sights on Western markets, including the US.

The South China Morning Post reported that Chinese AI apps have swiftly gained traction in the US, particularly in the education sector. Applications like Question.AI, owned by Beijing-based educational technology startup Zuoyebang and ByteDance’s Gauth, are revolutionising how American students tackle their homework by providing instant solutions and explanations through advanced AI algorithms. 

For context, Question.AI and Gauth are popular educational apps that use generative AI to help US students in various subjects. Users can photograph homework problems to receive solutions with step-by-step explanations. Question.AI launched in mid-2023, while Gauth (originally Gauthmath) started in 2020 as a math solver before expanding. Both offer free essential use with paid additional features. As of recent rankings, Gauth is the second most popular educational app globally, with Question.AI at seventh.

This convenience has resonated with students and parents, offering a seamless blend of technology and education that complements the increasingly digital learning environment. Initially designed for China’s vast and competitive market, these apps began bringing cutting-edge AI capabilities to American classrooms. After all, with its high digital adoption rates and openness to educational innovation, the US market presents a lucrative opportunity for Chinese developers looking to expand their user base beyond domestic borders.

According to mobile app intelligence service AppMagic, Question.AI and Gauth, generative AI-driven homework helpers, were ranked among the top three free educational apps in the US on Apple’s iOS store and Google Play from February to May.

AI in education: Domestic pressure driving global expansion 

In China, the development of large language models has been prolific. With over 200 such models created, the competition among AI developers is intense. This high-stakes environment has driven many companies to seek growth opportunities abroad. The approval of these models for public release by Chinese authorities signifies the maturity and readiness of these technologies for broader application, encouraging developers to explore international markets.

This push for global expansion is not just about finding new revenue streams but also about gaining a competitive edge and establishing a global presence. For Chinese AI companies, breaking into Western markets, particularly the US, symbolises commercial success and technological leadership on a global scale.

The adoption of Chinese AI apps in the US education sector also illustrates some strategic advantages these tools possess. The sophisticated AI technology in Question.AI and Gauth delivers individual-learnt experiences. In the US, educators appreciate such granularity as they are committed to personalised instruction for students with various learning styles.

Moreover, the flexibility and accessibility of these AI tools align well with the digital transformation sweeping through American education. Given that the pandemic has expedited online learning, AI-powered educational apps stand to bridge this gap in traditional teaching methodologies by providing timely help and improving their delivery methods.

Navigating challenges: Data privacy and cultural integration

Even with their technological prowess, Chinese AI apps will be met by data privacy and security concerns when entering US markets. There will be increased oversight on how these apps manage user data, especially in light of the geopolitical tensions between the US and China. Ensuring compliance with stringent US data privacy regulations is crucial for gaining user trust and widespread acceptance.

Additionally, cultural integration poses another hurdle. Chinese educational philosophies often emphasise rote learning and discipline, which may contrast with American education’s focus on creativity and critical thinking. Successfully blending these approaches to create a holistic learning experience will be essential to the sustained success of these apps in the US.

Ultimately, the success of Chinese AI apps like Question.AI and Gauth in the US clearly demonstrates the advanced technological capabilities that have been developed through intense domestic competition. As these companies continue to navigate the complexities of entering the Western market, their impact on the future of education is expected to expand.

See also: Tech war escalates: OpenAI shuts door on China

Want to learn more about AI and big data from industry leaders? Check out AI & Big Data Expo taking place in Amsterdam, California, and London. The comprehensive event is co-located with other leading events including Intelligent Automation Conference, BlockX, Digital Transformation Week, and Cyber Security & Cloud Expo.

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Ahead of AI & Big Data Expo North America – where the company will showcase its expertise – Chuck Ros, Industry Success Director at SoftServe, provided valuable insights into the company’s AI initiatives, the challenges faced, and its future strategy for leveraging this powerful technology.

Highlighting a recent AI project that exemplifies SoftServe’s innovative approach, Ros discussed the company’s unique solution for a software company in the field service management industry. The vision was to create an easy-to-use, language model-enabled interface that would allow field technicians to access service histories, equipment documentation, and maintenance schedules seamlessly, enhancing productivity and operational efficiency.

“Our AI engineers built a prompt evaluation pipeline that seamlessly considers cost, processing time, semantic similarity, and the likelihood of hallucinations,” Ros explained. “It proved to be an extremely effective architecture that led to improved operational efficiencies for the customer, increased productivity for users in the field, competitive edge for the software company and for their clients, and—perhaps most importantly—a spark for additional innovation.”

While the potential of AI is undeniable, Ros acknowledged the key mistakes businesses often make when deploying AI solutions, emphasising the importance of having a robust data strategy, building adequate data pipelines, and thoroughly testing the models. He also cautioned against rushing to deploy generative AI solutions without properly assessing feasibility and business viability, stating, “We need to pay at least as much attention to whether it should be built as we do to whether it can be built.”

Recognising the critical concern of ethical AI development, Ros stressed the significance of human oversight throughout the entire process. “Managing dynamic data quality, testing and detecting for bias and inaccuracies, ensuring high standards of data privacy, and ethical use of AI systems all require human oversight,” he said. SoftServe’s approach to AI development involves structured engagements that evaluate data and algorithms for suitability, assess potential risks, and implement governance measures to ensure accountability and data traceability.

Looking ahead, Ros envisions AI playing an increasingly vital role in SoftServe’s business strategy, with ongoing refinements to AI-assisted software development lifecycles and the introduction of new tools and processes to boost productivity further. Softserve’s findings suggest that GenAI can accelerate programming productivity by as much as 40 percent.

“I see more models assisting us on a daily basis, helping us write emails and documentation and helping us more and more with the simple, time-consuming mundane tasks we still do,” Ros said. “In the next five years I see ongoing refinement of that view to AI in SDLCs and the regular introduction of new tools, new models, new processes that push that 40 percent productivity hike to 50 percent and 60 percent.”

When asked how SoftServe is leveraging AI for social good, Ros explained the company is delivering solutions ranging from machine learning models to help students discover their passions and aptitudes, enabling personalised learning experiences, to assisting teachers in their daily tasks and making their jobs easier.

“I love this question because one of SoftServe’s key strategic tenets is to power our social purpose and make the world a better place. It’s obviously an ambitious goal, but it’s important to our employees and it’s important to our clients,” explained Ros.

“It’s why we created the Open Eyes Foundation and have collected more than $15 million with the support of the public, our clients, our partners, and of course our employees. We naturally support the Open Eyes Foundation with all manner of technology needs, including AI.”

At the AI & Big Data Expo North America, SoftServe plans to host a keynote presentation titled “Revolutionizing Learning: Unleashing the Power of Generative AI in Education and Beyond,” which will explore the transformative impact of generative AI and large language models in the education sector.

“As we explore the mechanisms through which generative AI leverages data – including training methodologies like fine-tuning and Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) – we will pinpoint high-value, low-risk applications that promise to redefine the educational landscape,” said Ros.

“The journey from a nascent idea to a fully operational AI solution is fraught with challenges, including ethical considerations and risks inherent in deploying AI solutions. Through the lens of a success story at Mesquite ISD, where generative AI was leveraged to help students uncover their passions and aptitudes enabling the delivery of personalised learning experiences, this presentation will illustrate the practical benefits and transformative potential of generative AI in education.”

Additionally, the company will participate in panel discussions on topics such as “Getting to Production-Ready – Challenges and Best Practices for Deploying AI” and “Navigating the Data & AI Landscape – Ensuring Safety, Security, and Responsibility in Big Data and AI Systems.” These sessions will provide attendees with valuable insights from SoftServe’s experts on overcoming deployment challenges, ensuring data quality and user acceptance, and mitigating risks associated with AI implementation.

As a key sponsor of the event, SoftServe aims to contribute to the discourse surrounding the responsible and ethical development of AI solutions, while sharing its expertise and vision for leveraging this powerful technology to drive innovation, enhance productivity, and address global challenges. 

“We are, of course, always interested in both sharing and hearing about the diversity of business cases for applications in AI and big data: the concept of the rising tide lifting all boats is definitely relevant in AI and GenAI in particular, and we’re proud to be a part of the AI technology community,” Ros concludes.

Want to learn more about AI and big data from industry leaders? Check out AI & Big Data Expo taking place in Amsterdam, California, and London. The comprehensive event is co-located with other leading events including BlockX, Digital Transformation Week, and Cyber Security & Cloud Expo.

Explore other upcoming enterprise technology events and webinars powered by TechForge here.

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Universities are increasingly recognising the importance of equipping their students and staff with AI literacy skills to leverage the opportunities presented by technological advancements in teaching and learning. 

Sheila Flavell CBE, Chief Operating Officer at FDM Group, commented: “With businesses crying out for new hires equipped with the latest tech skills and analytics capabilities, providing students with a fully rounded education and qualifications in this area is critical for building a dynamic workforce, fit for the future ahead.”

Developed in collaboration with AI and educational experts, the new principles acknowledge both the risks and opportunities associated with generative AI. The statement emphasises the role of Russell Group universities in cultivating AI leaders who can navigate an AI-enabled world effectively and responsibly.

The five principles outlined in the joint statement are as follows:

1. AI Literacy Support: Universities will support students and staff in developing AI literacy skills, enabling them to comprehend and engage with AI effectively.
2. Faculty Training: Staff members will be equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to assist students in utilising generative AI tools appropriately and effectively within their learning experiences.
3. Ethical Integration: Universities will adapt their teaching and assessment methods to incorporate the ethical use of generative AI, ensuring equal access to its benefits.
4. Academic Rigour: Academic integrity and rigour will be upheld as universities embrace the transformative power of AI in education.
5. Collaborative Best Practices: Universities will collaborate and share best practices as the technology and its applications in education evolve.

This announcement closely follows the UK Government’s launch of a consultation on the use of generative AI in education in England. By issuing this joint statement, the Russell Group universities aim to foster a shared understanding of the values and considerations surrounding AI in education.

Ross Sleight, Chief Strategy Officer, EMEA at CI&T, said:

“Education is still yet to be transformed by AI. It’s centuries old in how it’s done, but that doesn’t mean change isn’t on the horizon.

Exams and essays can risk regurgitation over critical thinking. Institutions must ask themselves, what is the most effective way to facilitate and consolidate knowledge, and can new technology better support this?

Technology such as ChatGPT is here to stay, and while it does pose challenges for the education sector, fighting against it is a losing battle. Institutions need to work with it and use it to their advantage. Great innovation can come from it.”

Dr Tim Bradshaw, Chief Executive of the Russell Group, highlighted the significance of AI breakthroughs in reshaping work dynamics and stressed the importance of preparing students with the skills required for successful careers. Furthermore, he emphasised the need to support university staff as they explore the potential of AI to enhance teaching methods and engage students effectively.

As the field of AI continues to advance rapidly, the joint statement of principles serves as a testament to the commitment of Russell Group universities to harnessing the transformative opportunities presented by AI.

John Kirk, Group Deputy CEO at ITG, commented: “The reality is that this technology is here to stay and deployed correctly can enhance our creative industries and help businesses transform marketing and customer interactions for the long term.

“With the digital skills shortfall still causing headaches for many companies, having systems in place to better understand such a high-impact technology is a step in the right direction.”

By prioritising the welfare of students and staff and safeguarding the integrity of education, the principles will help to ensure that AI adoption in universities is guided by clear and understood values.

Prof Michael Grove, deputy pro-vice chancellor (education policy and standards) at the University of Birmingham, said: “The rapid rise of generative AI will mean we need to continually review and re-evaluate our assessment practices, but we should view this as an opportunity rather than a threat.

You can find the full principles on the use of AI in education here (PDF)

(Photo by Suad Kamardeen on Unsplash)

See also: UK will host global AI summit to address potential risks

Want to learn more about AI and big data from industry leaders? Check out AI & Big Data Expo taking place in Amsterdam, California, and London. The event is co-located with Digital Transformation Week.

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In a fireside chat at the ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego, Gates explained that the “AIs will get to that ability, to be as good a tutor as any human ever could.”

AI chatbots such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Bard have developed rapidly in recent months and can now compete with human-level intelligence on some standardised tests.

Teaching writing skills has traditionally been difficult for computers, as they lack the cognitive ability to replicate human thought processes, Gates said. However, AI chatbots are able to recognise and recreate human-like language.

New York Times tech columnist Kevin Roose has already used ChatGPT to improve his writing, using the AI’s ability to quickly search through online style guides. Some academics have also been impressed by chatbots’ ability to summarise and offer feedback on text or even to write full essays.

The technology must improve before it can become a viable tutor, and Gates said that AI must get better at reading and recreating human language to better motivate students.

While it may be surprising that chatbots are expected to excel at reading and writing before maths, the latter is often used to develop AI technology and chatbots have difficulties with mathematical calculations.

If a solved math equation already exists within the datasets that the chatbot is trained on, it can provide the answer. However, calculating its own solution is more complex and requires improved reasoning abilities, Gates explained.

Gates is confident that the technology will improve within the next two years and he believes that it could help make private tutoring available to a wide range of students who may not otherwise be able to afford it.

While some free versions of chatbots already exist, Gates expects that more advanced versions will be available for a fee, although he believes that they will be more affordable and accessible than one-on-one tutoring with a human instructor.

You can watch the full talk with Bill Gates below:

Want to learn more about AI and big data from industry leaders? Check out AI & Big Data Expo taking place in Amsterdam, California, and London. The event is co-located with Digital Transformation Week.

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We don’t need to wait for the results of the government’s recent National AI Strategy, to know that deeper change is needed to really propel the industry forward. To create an AI scene that can compete on the world stage, education, ambition, and innovation must be combined and accelerated.

Here are three tactics I believe could propel the UK’s AI industry forward this year:

1. Promote collaboration between academia and business

To capitalise on the promise of AI, businesses and universities must build stronger links between one another, to drive innovation that can more quickly and effectively reach the market. The UK government knows this.

In its AI strategy, the government paid special attention to collaboration. But industry and academia are still, too often, working in silos. We can learn from countries like the US and Israel for inspiration here. These nations are successfully empowering both parties to accelerate national AI capabilities, with active sharing of information and increased joint ventures.

As the chief knowledge officer at Times Higher Education wrote, “partnerships between universities and industry will be vital as nations seek to rebuild their economies after the devastation of the pandemic – reskilling the workforce and rebooting the knowledge economy.”

The UK’s vaccination programme demonstrated that when it comes to enabling collaboration at pace, where there is a will, there is a way. Of course, the pathway for AI is very different, but there are learning opportunities here nonetheless.

For the UK Government’s AI strategy to truly progress, then this must be the year it breaks down these silos, challenging universities to become more agile and creative in their business collaborations. Businesses too must be encouraged to invest in academic AI expertise to develop key innovations such as deep learning, machine learning, and deep language processing, and discouraged from hoarding expertise within their own R&D teams.  

2. Lay strong foundations

Change is not only needed at university level. From an early age, education must prepare today’s students for tomorrow’s world. Without integrating skills required for capitalising on AI, we will be failing both our children and our future economy. 

The UK needs to show far greater commitment to creating grass-roots AI capabilities. This won’t come by only investing in academia; the governments recently announced 2,000 university scholarships is a baby step at too late an age. Those as young as 10 should be engaged in the possibilities of AI and automation – not just for their careers, but for the country at large.

Educating children from an early age in areas like data science, machine learning and natural language processing will be vital to the UK’s prosperity and innovation, as these specific areas are set to advance quickly in the next few years.

This isn’t just about coding classes, which seem to have become shorthand for future tech skills.  The AI of tomorrow will require creativity and analytical skills to work alongside and manage AI applications. What we understand as STEM education, incorporating AI skills, needs to broaden both in its scope but also in starting age.

By injecting these topics into the national curriculum, we can also overcome the diversity issue in the tech space – showing AI as an accessible career path to all students regardless of their gender, class, or background.

3. Building an ecosystem that nurtures mega-platforms

Alongside accelerated collaboration and shake up of education, we must also shift from our current position as a strong start-up ecosystem, to one that attracts and supports tomorrow’s mega platforms.

Can the UK be home to the next Facebook (or Meta), Google or Alibaba? Although we have a strong track record with nurturing start-ups, until recently the UK has not been focusing on ensuring the next mega platform plants its roots here, rather than in the US or China.

These mega-platforms have the resources to create world-changing innovations, as well as the capabilities to create masses of UK jobs. In order for this to be a success story, the UK must bring in investment and talent.

Whilst we may have seen a record number of unicorn firms in 2021, spreading support thinly across thousands of start-ups does not equate to creating the next mega-platform. The national focus must be recentered on identifying the top ten future companies and ensuring they are nurtured here – helping them to invest in UK talent and linking strongly with UK academia. 

Spreading our bets won’t catapult us forward. Much like the basic funding offered to small businesses to get them off the ground, support must be given to businesses with potential to go to the next level and encourage them to stay here once they do.

AI is a future-ready industry, with modern needs. Traditional tactics wont work – we need to re-educate, re-align, and reset what we think we already know if the UK is going to measure up to those of AI superpower status.

(Photo by James Newcombe on Unsplash)

Want to learn more about AI and big data from industry leaders? Check out AI & Big Data Expo. The next events in the series will be held in Santa Clara on 11-12 May 2022, Amsterdam on 20-21 September 2022, and London on 1-2 December 2022.

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The research, titled AI Skills in the UK, shines a spotlight on some concerning issues.

For its UK report, Microsoft used data from a global AI skills study featuring more than 12,000 people in 20 countries to see how the UK is doing in comparison to the rest of the world.

Most notably, compared to the rest of the world, the UK is seeing a higher failure rate for AI projects. 29 percent of AI ventures launched by UK businesses have generated no commercial value compared to the 19 percent average elsewhere in the world.

35 percent of British business leaders foresee an AI skills gap within two years, while 28 percent believe there already is one (above the global average of 24%).

However, it seems UK businesses aren’t helping to prepare employees with the skills they need. Just 17 percent of British employees have been part of AI reskilling efforts (compared to the global figure of 38 percent.)

Agata Nowakowska, AVP EMEA at Skillsoft, said:

“UK employers will have to address the growing digital skills gap within the workforce to ensure their business is able to fully leverage every digital transformation investment that’s made. With technologies like AI and cloud becoming as commonplace as word processing or email in the workplace, firms will need to ensure employees can use such tools and aren’t apprehensive about using them.

Organisations will need to think holistically about managing reskilling, upskilling and job transitioning. As the war for talent intensifies, employee development and talent pooling will become increasingly vital to building a modern workforce that’s adaptable and flexible. Addressing and easing workplace role transitions will require new training models and approaches that include on-the-job training and opportunities that support and signpost workers to opportunities to upgrade their skills.” 

Currently, a mere 32 percent of British employees feel their workplace is doing enough to prepare them for an AI-enabled future (compared to the global average of 42%)

“The most successful organisations will be the ones that transform both technically and culturally, equipping their people with the skills and knowledge to become the best competitive asset they have,” comments Simon Lambert, Chief Learning Officer for Microsoft UK.

“Human ingenuity is what will make the difference – AI technology alone will not be enough.”

AI brain drain

It’s well-documented that the UK suffers from a “brain drain” problem. The country’s renowned universities – like Oxford and Cambridge – produce globally desirable AI talent, but they’re often swooped up by Silicon Valley giants who are willing to pay much higher salaries than many British firms.

In one example, a senior professor from Imperial College London couldn’t understand why one of her students was not turning up to any classes. Most people wouldn’t pay £9,250 per year in tuition fees and not turn up. The professor called her student to find out why he’d completed three years but wasn’t turning up for his final year. She found that he was offered a six-figure salary at Apple. 

This problem also applies to teachers who are needed to pass their knowledge onto the future generations. Many are lured away from academia to work on groundbreaking projects with almost endless resources, less administrative duties, and be paid handsomely for it too.

Some companies, Microsoft included, have taken measures to address the brain drain problem. After all, a lack of AI talent harms the entire industry.

Dr Chris Bishop, Director of Microsoft’s Research Lab in Cambridge, said:

“One thing we’ve seen over the past few years is: because there are so many opportunities for people with skills in machine learning, particularly in industry, we’ve seen a lot of outflux of top academic talent to industry.

This concerns us because it’s those top academic professors and researchers who are responsible not just for doing research, but also for nurturing the next generation of talent in this field.”

Since 2018, Microsoft has funded a program for training the next generation of data scientists and machine-learning engineers called the Microsoft Research-Cambridge University Machine Learning Initiative.

Microsoft partners with universities to ensure it doesn’t steal talent, allows employees to continue roles in teaching, funds some related PhD scholarships, sends researchers to co-supervise students in universities, and offers paid internships to work alongside teams at Microsoft on projects.

You can find the full AI Skills in the UK report here.

(Photo by William Warby on Unsplash)

Interested in hearing industry leaders discuss subjects like this? Attend the co-located 5G Expo, IoT Tech Expo, Blockchain Expo, AI & Big Data Expo, and Cyber Security & Cloud Expo World Series with upcoming events in Silicon Valley, London, and Amsterdam.

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Last week, our sister publication Developer reported AI skills are in such high demand that companies are willing to offer six figure salaries. Universities are unable to match these benefits and it’s creating a brain drain preventing the current lack of AI talent problem from being addressed.

The Guardian reports of a case from Imperial College London where a senior professor couldn’t understand why one of her students was not turning up to any classes. Most people wouldn’t pay £9,250 per year in tuition fees only to not turn up.

Eventually, the professor called her student to find out why he’d completed three years but wasn’t turning up for his final year. She found he was offered a six-figure salary at Apple.

Cases of private companies stealing academia talent is being reported up-and-down the country. With the AI skill shortage being a global issue, there’s a good chance this brain drain situation is not exclusive to the UK.

Plugging the AI brain drain

One potential solution is one backed by many citizens and employed with success in some Nordic countries, and that’s of introducing a pay cap. Those who put in the hours to learn advanced skills deserve to be paid more, but the difference between workers can often be grotesque.

In fact, according to an analysis published by the Equality Trust, the average FTSE chief executive earns 386 times more than a worker on the national living wage.

Capping salaries would also help to make the market more competitive by helping startups who are unable to match the buying power of the likes of Google, Amazon, Facebook, and Apple. These companies represent some of the handful of firms where talent is being disproportionately concentrated.

Tackling the tax avoidance of many large companies must also be a priority to ensure governments have the money to reinvest in education.

Of course, too much regulation can be counterproductive. Talent may flock to countries where there is no pay cap, and companies may decide to set up their businesses and the jobs they provide in other nations with less strict tax policies.

Some teachers are admirably turning down job offers from big companies despite the large salaries, greater resources, often less administrative duties, the ability to work alongside some of the best in the business, and on potentially groundbreaking projects. They do this just to ensure future generations can learn important skills.

These people are frankly heroes — there are not many of us who could turn down such attractive propositions. We salute you.

How should the brain drain in AI be tackled? Let us know in the comments.

 Interested in hearing industry leaders discuss subjects like this and sharing their use-cases? Attend the co-located AI & Big Data Expo events with upcoming shows in Silicon Valley, London and Amsterdam to learn more. Co-located with the  IoT Tech Expo, Blockchain Expo and Cyber Security & Cloud Expo so you can explore the future of enterprise technology in one place.

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Earlier today, our sister publication Developer reported on the AI skill shortage driving employers to offer six-figure salaries to candidates. Most companies do not like, or can afford, to offer their employees such a high salary.

LinkedIn is in a better situation financially than a startup wanting to delve into AI, especially since the Microsoft acquisition, but it’s taking a different approach to ensuring it doesn’t suffer from a lack of relevant skills.

The company has launched an AI academy which aims to train all of its engineers in the basics of AI. This will ensure its staff can deploy intelligent models in its products wherever it could be of benefit.

“The demand for AI across the company has increased enormously,” Deepak Agarwal, the head of artificial intelligence at LinkedIn, said during an onstage interview at VB Summit 2017 today. “Everyone wants to have AI as a component of their product.” So how do we scale the workforce is a big thing that keeps me up at night.”

Being a social network, there are plenty of opportunities where AI can be used. Just like Facebook, AI can be used from things such as improving contact recommendations, to reducing the amount of spam posted on the site.

“AI is like oxygen at LinkedIn, it permeates every single member experience,” Agarwal said. “And just to give you an idea of the scale, we process more than 2PB of data both nearline and offline every single day.”

So far, six engineers have made it through the academy. Rather than teach how AI works to pursue it as a career, it’s being taught in the context of how to utilise it for the company’s operations.

Should more companies train employees in AI? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

 Interested in hearing industry leaders discuss subjects like this and sharing their use-cases? Attend the co-located AI & Big Data Expo events with upcoming shows in Silicon Valley, London and Amsterdam to learn more. Co-located with the  IoT Tech Expo, Blockchain Expo and Cyber Security & Cloud Expo so you can explore the future of enterprise technology in one place.

The post LinkedIn is teaching all its engineers AI skills appeared first on AI News.